Firefighters instead of paramedics could be sent to help pensioners if they suffer a fall at home.

Under a new 24-hour-a-day pilot scheme in Coventry, fire crews will switch from regular duties to helping the elderly back on their feet.

If an OAP presses a panic button, a call centre team will assess the situation and could send a brigade response vehicle (BRV) instead of an ambulance if the fall has not resulted in an injury.

Phil Loach, chief fire officer for West Midlands Fire Service, said: “Being commissioned to provide this type of work provides a fantastic opportunity to help the most vulnerable members of our community by allowing them to remain independent in their homes and to improve their health and wellbeing.

“We will also reduce risk by providing our comprehensive Safe and Well visits to people that really need them and help reduce hospital admissions freeing up beds and access to vital services and reducing the overall cost to the public purse.

“Our BRV is the perfect vehicle for this purpose, allowing fire engines to attend life-threatening incidents within five minutes as we know that this fast response saves lives and reduces injuries and damage to the community.”

Coun Bally Singh, a member of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “The Take Care Pilot is a great example of how the expertise and professionalism of the West Midlands Fire Service can be used to help the vulnerable, working together with Coventry City Council and the local NHS to get the job done.

“I hope this can show a new way forward for local services to work even more collaboratively for the common good.”

The news comes five days after WMFS was awarded the Marmot Partnership Status for the work it has carried out to prevent ill health and to reduce health inequalities.